SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1):

6 Pickford: Made three good saves to keep the scoreline down, with his best stop denying Aguero in the closing stages

5 Jones: His commitment couldn’t be questioned, but he was unable to keep up with Sane as the German scored City’s second 

5 O’Shea: Tried his best to marshal the Sunderland backline, but struggled to cope with Silva’s midfield prompting

4 Kone: Was caught flat-footed as Aguero opened the scoring and wasn’t able to dominate as he would have liked

6 Oviedo: One of Sunderland’s better players, and was unfortunate to deflect Sterling’s cross into Ageuro’s path

6 Larsson: Started brightly and harassed Silva in the early stages, but wasn’t able to keep his levels up in the second half

6 Gibson: Worked away diligently, particularly in the first half, but hobbled off midway through the second period

5 Januzaj: Almost set Defoe away after a bright first-half dribble, but his game lacked end product and he rarely troubled the City defence

6 NDONG: Was pushed further forward than usual, and responded with a bright display as he tried to bolster the attack

4 Borini: Another frustrating afternoon for the Italian, who doesn’t look like getting onto the scoresheet at the moment

6 Defoe: Not one of his most productive afternoons, but still almost claimed a goal from nothing as his first-half shot hit the post


Subs:

5 Rodwell (for Gibson, 69): Didn’t have much of an opportunity to change things, with the game effectively done and dusted before he came on

Khazri (for Januzaj, 82)

(not used): Mannone (gk), Manquillo, Love, Djilobodji, Honeyman.


MAN CITY (4-2-3-1):

Caballero 7; Sagna 7, Stones 6, Kolarov 7, Clichy 7; Toure 7 (de Bruyne 77), Fernandinho 6; Sterling 8 (Nolito 81), SILVA 8, Sane 8 (Delph 89); Aguero 7.

Subs (not used): Bravo (gk), Otamendi, Fernando, Iheanacho.


Man Of The Match: DAVID SILVA – The Manchester City midfielder pulled all the strings as his close control and eye for a pass enabled him to punch a series of holes through the Sunderland defence.